PESHAWAR, Dec 10: The NWFP chapter of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) observed on Monday the International Day of Human Rights as a ‘black day’. “The year 2007 is the worst year in the country’s history for human rights violations and we are today mourning it,” Prof Dr Mohammad Sadique, a member of the HRCP, said at a press conference.
A statement issued on the occasion said security forces had picked up more than 400 persons and several others were still missing.
The government not only committed the rights violations, it alleged, but also created hurdles in the way of the apex court when it took up cases of the missing persons.
The state machinery was suppressing the civil society by force, it said. Curbs on the media were placed after a state of emergency was imposed in the country.
A large number of lawyers, journalists, students and teachers, and human rights activists were detained, it added.
STUDENTS: Students at the University of Peshawar, observing the rights day, said the current scenario in the country was causing depression among people, especially the youth. “Human rights have been butchered in the name of national security.
The country is still in a state of emergency and the current scenario is making even the demand for basic human rights a dream,” Saima Ambreen, a student, said.
Students from various departments hoped that human rights conditions in the country would improve soon.
Nayab Fatima deplored violations of women rights in the name of honour.
She observed that although women were being murdered, sold, raped and mutilated, there were some who had set examples of courage.
“Mukhtaran Mai is modern day heroine and symbol of courage for standing up against those who violated her rights,” said Fatima.
Naveed Amwar expressed despair at the state of affairs in the country.
“I don’t know what my rights are like many others,” he said pessimistically.
Prof Adnan Sarwar, chairman of the International Relations department at the university, said: “There is a general apathy among students and teachers, although universities and colleges can be a place to generate thought-provoking discussions.”
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